One Laptop per College Student? Exploring the Links Between Access to IT Hardware and Academic Performance in Higher Education E-learning Programs

June 11, 2012

Abstract

In an attempt to foster student integration in virtual education programs, several higher education institutions have launched systematic large-scale hand-outs of personal computers, inspired by the “One Laptop per Child” distribution model. However, the level of impact of these initiatives on academic performance is not yet well understood. This article aims to explore student responses to changing levels of access to IT hardware, applying multiple correspondence analysis. Some of the broader socio-economic factors affecting education are also examined.